Rev Gav

Companion

Luke 1:35-37

³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For the word of God will never fail.”

Reflect

The first chapter of Luke is a chapter of contrasts. For example, there is the contrast of the greatness of God and the lowliness of Mary, and this contrast is extended to Jesus himself. Jesus encapsulates (or holds together) these two characteristics — greatness and lowliness. Jesus will be holy (divine) and also a baby (human). In other words, Jesus will be both fully God and fully human at the same time, and this concept or idea was sown even before he was born, through the words of the angelic messenger from God.

And as a sign that God could do the impossible, the angel told Mary about Elizabeth who was too old to have children. Mary did not know about Liz being pregnant because Liz had kept it to herself for the past five months. I like the way the angel drops this nugget of information at the end of his message, “Oh, and by the way, you remember your cousin Liz? Yep, the one who couldn’t have kids? Well, she’s pregnant. Get a load of that! Byeeee!” Talk about another bombshell.

There is something comforting about knowing that Mary would not be on her own during her pregnancy, and that the older, and presumably wiser, Elizabeth, was going through a similar thing. God had not left Mary alone.

God does not leave us alone either. There are people journeying with us through our Christian lives. God knows that we are not meant to do this on our own. Can you think of someone who has been there for you, someone who has guided you or comforted you?

Do

Thank God for someone who has been a spiritual encouragement to you, and if possible, send them a message telling them how much you appreciate them.

Pray

Holy God
Thank you that I’m not alone;
that there are people on this journey with me,
to offer me support, guidance and love.
Help us to work out, together,
how we can be part of your plan for the world.
This day and for ever.
Amen.

Think

Why do you think God did not choose to enter the world through royalty, wealth and power?